James2

"Has not God chosen those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?"

Every year the rich, at Christmas, will shower each other with gifts that we don't need! At the same time, the majority of the world will go to bed poor and hungry. How must this look to God? What does he see?

This verse gives me great comfort. While the poor in this life continue to struggle, they often are filled with faith. It is their faith that will be rewarded richly for eternity. But the challenge for those of us who have remains. Will we be rich toward God? Will we love those who are in need.

Do something of real value this season.

Heb. 11

Is our faith tied to the things of this earth or is it rooted in the expectation of a life that will come? "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having see them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth." v. 13

Faith that is aimed toward this life, is not faith at all. The great men and women of faith lived with eternity clearly in focus. I know of very few "believers" who have this kind of faith. We seem to think that our faith somehow guarantees us the best in this present life! Even though that was never true of NT believers or of Jesus himself, we still tend to fall for this "false gospel".

Faith is not a temporary thing rooted in this present life. Faith that comes from God is focused on the life that is to come. This life rarely offers what we want. If our faith is rooted in the hope of this life, we will be sorely disappointed.

Rv22

"Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done....The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price."

This is a powerful invitation to close our bibles! Jesus is coming back. He will bring judgement on the earth. Anyone who has not embraced the gospel will be eternally damned. Yet...the final words of revelation are not judgement, but grace. Grace in a word..."Come."

The Holy Spirit is calling out to everyone. The Bride (Christ's church) is calling out to everyone. And we, those who believe, should be calling out to everyone. Until Jesus returns we should be offering the invitation to come to Jesus.

And these final words of grace, "let the one who desires take the water of life without price." Come.

Rv21

"Behold, I am making all things new." - God

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! A day is soon coming when God will fix every broken thing, take away every pain, heal every disease, and wipe away every tear of sadness. He will make everything perfect. He will be the centerpiece and the focus of our heavenly community. It will all be "very good".

Today is a day of thanksgiving. It is to be a day of remembrance and a day of gratitude. Choose today to be grateful to God for all He has done. Choose an attitude of gratitude. Choose to speak words of kindness and grace. Be a blessing to others as you interact with them.

Today is also a day to remember those who are less blessed than we are. Many in our country will go hungry on this day of feasting. Much of the world still lives in hunger and poverty. Remember to give thanks for them also. Remember to pray that God will pour out his love on those who are less blessed in this world.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Rv20

"If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." V.15

How much do we actually know about God's word? Many of us "think we know", but most have never really taken the time to examine the scriptures for ourselves to see what God has truly said. These are alarming verses, and if true, matter more than anything else in life! What will happen to us when we die?

There is a book. It is called the "book of life". There are names written in this book. If our name is not written in this book, we will be eternally judged by God and will not see heaven. Our destination will be a "lake of fire." If our name is written in this book, we will escape God's judgement and heaven will be our eternal home.

Do not let these things escape our time, energy and effort. It is what truly matters. Jesus said, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? What can a man give in exchange for his soul?"

See what God says for yourself. Get help. Don't leave this question to chance.

Rv19

"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war."

Do we believe that Jesus will return to earth in this way? Do our lives reflect that we believe it could happen any day? There is no question that the early believers believe Jesus would return in their lifetime. How much more so would it be true of us!

Jesus is coming back to judge the earth. A time is coming, and soon will be, when we all will stand before God. My plan is to live today in the light of that reality. I want my life to matter. I want to be ready for Christ return.

Let's do something today that suggests that we believe these things.

Rv18

Sexual immorality and wealth are the most common themes which describe a godless Babylon! These two things would also be key descriptors of our nation! Where has purity gone? Does a person's faithfulness to God and a spouse still have value in this culture? Does wealth give me permission to do whatever I want?

A time is coming, and soon will be, when every wrong will be made right. A time for judgement. A time when truth will prevail and God's rule and reign will be absolute. Are we keeping ourselves pure? Are we using the wealth God has entrusted to us to advance His purposes?

God help us all.